Environmental assessment on the issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorizations to take marine mammals by harassment incidental to open-water marine and seismic surveys in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas ; Finding of No Signficant Impact for the issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization to TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA to take marine mammals by harassment incidental to conducting open-water 2D seismic surveys in the Chukchi Sea ;

Wieting, Donna

"The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA (TGS) for the taking, by Level B harassment, of small numbers of marine mammals incidental to open-water 2D seismic surveys in the Chukchi Sea. TGS' open-water seismic surveys are expected to occur within the time frame of July through October 2013. TGS requested a broad time range because the timing of the planned activities is dependent on ice, weather, and subsistence activities. NMFS proposes to issue an IHA with mitigation measures, as described in Alternative 2 of the Environmental Assessment. NMFS' Office of Protected Resources (OPR) has determined that the take of marine mammals incidental to TGS' seismic surveys would have negligible effects on the species and stocks of marine mammals in the action area"--Summary from cover letter.

Professional Paper

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)